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Monday, 6 July 2015

I've Got a Date: Stanmore Pain Management and Rehabilitation Programme, Part Four

My in-patient date for Stanmore, RNOH, came and I felt sick as soon as I opened the letter. My initial thought - 'I don't want to go', my stomach churned and anxiety kicked in. It was real now, I was actually going into hospital for three weeks. THREE WEEKS!

The admission date is August 3rd, if the picture at the top isn't obvious enough, so not long now. I'm not feeling half as bad as I was but I'm still apprehensive. I just need to focus on the positives and how much this rehab programme will benefit my health. If I only learn how to pace, that's a bloody good positive in my book. I'll always be in pain but if I learn how to manage it better, I can't complain. Let's do this!

Comfy clothes for physio (new joggers are ready and waiting in my wardrobe)

Pyjamas and slippers

Underwear, socks and all that

Skincare

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Shampoo and conditioner, brushes, hair dryer etc.

Dry shampoo

Baseball cap (for bad hair days)

Shower stuff, including shower cap

Make up - obviously.

iPad

Laptop (yes, I need both)

Books - lots of books

Colouring book and pencils

Notebook

Holdall - There's some waiting around during the day so need to take meds and things to do during the wait

Bottles of water

Cash

Splints and braces

Crutches and walking stick

Heat/ice packs

V-pillow, knee pillow

Headphones

Ear plugs

Fan (heat regulation with PoTS is a nightmare)

Since my way of getting to the hospital requires an hour long drive down the M1 and I have to be there at 8:30 on a Monday morning, I've booked a hotel ten minutes away for the Sunday night. I really don't fancy fighting rush-hour traffic on one of the busiest motorways in the UK. During my last RNOH visit there was a huge accident on the motorway and the one hour journey home took four hours. I think booking a hotel is very wise as I'll avoid any jams and won't have to set off in the early hours of the morning.